Elroy Louis Sandberg

WEAVERVILLE – Elroy Louis Sandberg, age 90, formerly of Weaverville, North Carolina passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2026. His loving wife of 66 years Kathy was by his side at his home in Arden. He was the son of the late Elroy Leonard and Mabel Lindstrom Sandberg, and was also preceded in death by his brother, Ronald Leonard Sandberg; and nephew, Robert “Bob” Thomas Sandberg.

Lou was born in Chicago, Illinois and lived in numerous locations across the country as a child, having many fond memories of his years in Knoxville and Chattanooga in the Appalachian Mountains. As a child Lou loved nature and wildlife. Raising fish and catching fish were lifetime hobbies. Lou met his sweetheart Kathy at Miami University in Ohio, and they married in 1959.

Lou’s first job out of college was quality control working for Ford Motor company in Cincinnati. He was then transferred to Indianapolis, where Kathy and Lou welcomed their first daughter Leesa in 1965. Following a transfer to the Detroit area, he had numerous roles with the company. Lou spent his entire career, 37 years, with Ford. In 1970 baby girl Lorie arrived and their family was complete.

In addition to fish hobbies, Lou loved to garden, write poetry, and work on projects around the house. After retirement in 1996 Kathy and Lou traveled, hiked, and were active in The Reem’s Creek Community homeowner‘s association. Lou was a proud Swede and one of the highlights of his retirement years was taking his grandchildren to Scandinavia for 10 days. Lou and Kathy spent some time in Frisco, Texas near Lorie until they all could settle back in his beloved North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains.

Lou will be remembered for his love of fishing, being a Steelers fan, a proud Ford owner and employee. He will also be remembered for his impeccable manners, neighborly kindness and most of all his devotion to Kathy, the girls and grand kids.

Surviving is his wife of 66 years, Zelma Kathryn Sandberg; daughters, Leesa Sandberg Reddy and husband Mark, and Lorie Powell Van Pelt and husband Scott; grandchildren, Bridget Reddy, Cooper Powell and Cameron Powell; sister-in-law, Lynda Sandberg; and nephew, Craig Sandberg.

His ashes will be interred in the Memorial Garden at the First United Methodist Church in Birmingham, Michigan. A remembrance in Michigan will be planned for a future date.

West Family Funeral Services is honored to be serving Lou’s family. Condolences may be offered under his obituary at www.westfamilyfuneralservices.com.